polarized sunglasses

rich s · Nov 19, 2012

was wondering who else uses polarized sunglasses to play tennis and your thoughts on polarized vs non -polarized lenses.

I like how the polarized lenses cut the glare, but they seem to play with my eyes.... or at least it's in my head that they mess with my eyes and possibly depth perception.

Do you use polarized or normal lenses?

Other than glare reduction, Do you find polarized lenses to be different from regulsr lenses in what and how you see.

Been needing to get new sunglasses but not sure if I want to get another pair of polarized or just get regular lenses...

would like to hear your opinion

Geology_Rocks! · Nov 19, 2012

I wanna know this one too, I recently got the Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 as a gift with non polarized lenses.

I'm still getting used to them as I never use glasses of any kind, but I must say they are growing on me, especially when playing in the morning.

About the polarized lenses for tennis I've seen mixed reviews, some say they are a must because hard courts reflect a lot of glare while others say they will mess with depth perception.

jonnythan · Nov 19, 2012

I like polarized glasses for some things, most notably anything involving a boat. I do not like them for golf, tennis, etc. The reason is that the image characteristics change as your head tilts, which happens constantly in tennis. Glare goes in and out as your head moves.

scotus · Nov 19, 2012

jonnythan said:
I like polarized glasses for some things, most notably anything involving a boat. I do not like them for golf, tennis, etc. The reason is that the image characteristics change as your head tilts, which happens constantly in tennis. Glare goes in and out as your head moves.

Really? I don't notice any of these.

I just use whatever sunglasses I grab. Some are polarized and some are not.

With polarized lenses, the vision is clearer with less glare. That's all.

Maybe your polarized lenses have prescription in them?

jonnythan · Nov 19, 2012

No, it's the nature of polarization.

Go outside tomorrow with your polarized glasses on. Look at a static scene like a parking lot.

Tilt your head left and right. You will quite clearly see the intensity of the glare go up and down. Or just hold your sunglasses out in front of your face and rotate them about the center. You will see the image appreciably change.

It's just the nature of polarized light. The glare is primarily in a single polarization range. As you rotate the polarized lenses against the glare's polarization, the amount of glare getting through goes up and down.

If you ever use a polarizing filter on a camera you will see the same effect. These filters are assembled so that you can swivel them while they're mounted. As you twist the filter you will see the glare level go up and down.

You can see a great demonstration of this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KJTg5DDbfo

This is someone filming while rotating the polarizing filter. This is the exact same effect you see as you tilt your head left and right while wearing polarizing sunglasses. Maybe most people don't notice it specifically, but this is what you're experiencing when you get "reduced depth perception" or whatever.

Chotobaka · Nov 19, 2012

No issues with my polarized Bolle Kickbacks changing or distorting at any angle. Perhaps their being small and curved has something to do with this.

jonnythan · Nov 19, 2012

They don't distort. But the glare gets brighter and dimmer as you tilt your head.

If it doesn't, your glasses aren't polarized.

scotus · Nov 19, 2012

jonnythan said:
No, it's the nature of polarization.

Go outside tomorrow with your polarized glasses on. Look at a static scene like a parking lot.

Tilt your head left and right. You will quite clearly see the intensity of the glare go up and down. Or just hold your sunglasses out in front of your face and rotate them about the center. You will see the image appreciably change.

It's just the nature of polarized light. The glare is primarily in a single polarization range. As you rotate the polarized lenses against the glare's polarization, the amount of glare getting through goes up and down.

If you ever use a polarizing filter on a camera you will see the same effect. These filters are assembled so that you can swivel them while they're mounted. As you twist the filter you will see the glare level go up and down.

You can see a great demonstration of this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KJTg5DDbfo

This is someone filming while rotating the polarizing filter. This is the exact same effect you see as you tilt your head left and right while wearing polarizing sunglasses. Maybe most people don't notice it specifically, but this is what you're experiencing when you get "reduced depth perception" or whatever.

in that case, maybe my polarized lenses are fake!

jonnythan · Nov 19, 2012

scotus said:
in that case, maybe my polarized lenses are fake!

It's possible. It's easy to test though.

Hold the glasses out in front of you, in front of your computer screen. Rotate the lenses. The screen should get very dark at two points 180 degrees apart through the rotation.

That's the same effect you get outside. As the lenses rotate against the polarization of the glare, the brightness of the glare goes up and down. At the point where the lens polarization is the same as that of the glare, the polarization does nothing. At a point 90 degrees from that point, the polarization blocks the glare. The glare intensity varies as you rotate between those points.

adamX012 · Nov 19, 2012

anyone knows? can I have polarized sunglasses with strong description on it? thanks?

GlenK · Nov 20, 2012

Polarized gives me a headache in about 30 minutes. No idea why but it makes choices kind of simple.

ramos77 · Nov 20, 2012

cant play with sunnies on, I'm convinced I can't see the ball as well

sundaypunch · Nov 20, 2012

ramos77 said:
cant play with sunnies on, I'm convinced I can't see the ball as well

I also never liked playing with sunglasses. I ended up buying some Bolle's with the green "competivision" lenses and love them. It took some getting used to but I definitely see the ball much better.

It washes out most everything you see but makes the ball pop. For me it makes it easier to track and concentrate on the ball with everything else minimized. I have talked to others that hate them so you never know.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Bolle_Competivision_Vigilante_Sunglasses/descpageBUSH-BCVG.html

bigmalik76 · Nov 20, 2012

I don't have any issues if I have them on the whole session or match. If I wear them in the beginning and take them off it takes me a bit to adjust. I use Oakley Radars.

goran_ace · Nov 20, 2012

Distortion has more to do with the quality of the lens (material, construction) than the polarization. Buy a high quality sports lens (e.g. Oakley, Bolle) and it won't be a problem, but you can't expect the same performance from a $20-30 pair of glasses.

Polarized lenses are great on the water for boating, and especially fishing, but unless you play on a court that has a lot of glare coming off the court, polarization isn't needed.

gmatheis · Nov 20, 2012

I prefer not to use sunglasses at all, but I keep a pair of polarized glasses in my bag for when I get stuck serving into the sun.

GlenK · Nov 21, 2012

sundaypunch said:
I also never liked playing with sunglasses. I ended up buying some Bolle's with the green "competivision" lenses and love them. It took some getting used to but I definitely see the ball much better.

It washes out most everything you see but makes the ball pop. For me it makes it easier to track and concentrate on the ball with everything else minimized. I have talked to others that hate them so you never know.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Bolle_Competivision_Vigilante_Sunglasses/descpageBUSH-BCVG.html

I have struggled with sunglasses forever, but these are without doubt the best I've ever used. Normally I have issues with polarized as well but for some reason these don't bother me. They are also perfect for shaded courts where shadows affect play.

3fees · Nov 22, 2012

I use yellow polarized(blue blockers)uva and uvb 100%-much clearer than dark sunglasses,, no issues.

schenkelini · Dec 25, 2012

I use Maui Jim's Maui Rose polarized glasses. They are fantastic!

polarized sunglasses

rich s

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Geology_Rocks!

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jonnythan

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scotus

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Chotobaka

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